
Back row, from left to right; 2023 ROSE Scholars; Amina Malone, Katelyn Castillo, Diana Sanchez. Front row: 2023 ROSE Scholars; Arleth Angeles, Naomi Blas, Valeria Hernandez, Stephanie Barcenas. (Not Pictured: Giselle Carlos)
PASADENA, Calif. (April 13, 2023) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association has selected eight high school seniors as the 2023 ROSE Scholars. This year, the program awarded $20,000 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors from the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). ROSE Scholars, presented by Citizens Business Bank, is a program designed to help students in our community thrive and to foster their potential.
2023 ROSE Scholars
Arleth Angeles –
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
Katelyn Castillo–
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
Stephanie Barcenas –
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
Valeria Hernandez –
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
Naomi Blas –
John Muir High School |
Amina Malone –
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
Giselle Carlos –
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School |
Diana Sanchez –
Rose City High School |
For more information about the students, read their bios HERE.
As part of the application process, students were invited to submit a creative piece that reflected their future dreams, goals and aspirations. A one-page reflection describing their thoughts and feelings about the piece was also required, as well as still images of their work and a video recording describing their inspiration. Instead of a minimum GPA requirement, applicants were asked to obtain a recommendation from a teacher, coach, counselor or community member.
David A. Brager, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Business Bank, expressed his support and enthusiasm for the 2023 Rose Scholars, a program that provides scholarships to local students in the Pasadena Unified School District. He acknowledged the positive impact of their ongoing partnership with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association in supporting education and making a difference in the communities they serve. Through the generosity of Citizens Business Bank, Brager demonstrates his commitment to supporting education and creating opportunities for students in the local community.
“Here at the Tournament of Roses, we celebrate creativity and the 2023 Rose Scholars are proof of that,” said Alex Aghajanian, 2024 Tournament of Roses President. “We are thrilled to recognize these students and provide them with scholarships to further their passions. Thank you to David Brager and Citizens Business Bank for your partnership and giving the Tournament of Roses Association the opportunity to uplift these amazing young people.”
The Association and the Tournament of Roses Foundation are focused on positively impacting the Pasadena community with charitable giving, volunteerism and community involvement. As part of this work, the Association has partnered with Citizens Business Bank for ROSE Scholars and other signature community programs.